Kerry Wood Retires After Throwing One Last K

Photo Credit: Fred Jewell/AP Photo

May 6, 1998. Despite being only 20 years old, Kerry Wood struck out 20 hitters in a complete game shutout win against the Houston Astros. Many baseball fans and experts believe it was the greatest game every pitched. In just his fifth major league start, Wood stuck out 20 of the 27 batters he faced. Furthermore, the Astros had a tough lineup to get through back then. The Astros did manage one infield single, and Wood hit a batter, so it wasn't a perfect game or no-hitter. But this was a different type of dominance. This wasn't luck or pure chance. No, this was a whole new level of dominance. The Astros hitters didn't stand a chance. The game earned Wood the nickname "Kid K."

The problem was that Wood's health couldn't sustain that effort. Wood through across his body when he pitched, and experts predicted an injury would come as a result. That rookie season he threw eight games of 120+ pitches. Sure enough, Wood's elbow required Tommy John surgery the next spring. Wood made a recovery, but his stuff was never as dominant ever again. In 2003, he made the All-Star team and led the National League in strikeouts. The Cubs won the division that season. Wood pitched a gem in Game 5 of the divisional series against the Atlanta Braves. Wood started Game 7 of the NLCS against the Florida Marlins, with the Cubs one win away from a shot at the illusive World Series. Unfortunately, Wood seemed to run out of steam, and the Cubs lost the game.

Wood declined further after that. He got injured again and was finally relegated to the bullpen. He eventually left the Cubs and took on bullpen stints with the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees, before returning to the Cubs. Sources revealed Friday that Wood would make one last appearance before retiring. Wood got the call in the eighth inning of this afternoon's matinee against the Chicago White Sox. Wood faced one batter, Dayan Viciedo, and lived up to his nickname. He struck him out swinging and knew that was the way he wanted to go out. The Wrigley faithful gave him a standing ovation. They had watched the Kid who dominated like no other. They knew he left everything he had on that pitching mound. Wood shook hands with his teammates, tipped his hat to the crowd, and embraced his son, who had run onto the field. Kid K went out just the way it seemed he ought to.